Related Stories

The story begins in 1998 and Stamford Golf Authority executive director Paul Grillo -- just a few years into the position -- looks around the 29-year-old golf course/facility and sees a relatively successful operation.

But the nagging question was how to take the golf course and the operation to the next level.

Grillo -- with the approval of the Golf Authority which oversees Sterling Farms --

ultimately turns to Robert McNeil, an architect at Northeast Golf Courses in Rhode Island, to study everything tee box to green.

So McNeil looks and looks and looks. Eventually, Grillo has a book of recommendations on his desk the size of a James Michener novel.

The good news is that Grillo has plenty of ideas, plans, data and costs to show the Stamford Golf Authority, the members of which are appointed by the mayor of Stamford.

The harder task for Grillo is how to pay for this grand but indeed necessary undertaking without using a dime of city funds. After all, you can't have the people in Stamford who don't play golf seeing their tax money benefit only those who do golf.

Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

So Grillo looked at his facility just like the Yankees and Mets looked at their new stadiums.

Where were the new revenue streams?

The answer was clear.

The driving range.

Sterling Farms' original range was a simple, one-level 26-mat layout that was crowded but fine during golf season.

However, the driving range of the 21st Century is multi-level, as it is in Japan or New York City where acreage to hit is at a premium.

What if the driving range had a roof over it and heaters within it? Suddenly, you have a facility which could be used in the wintry Northeast 365 days and nights a year.

Now consider all the extra golf lessons the pros can give because your driving range has grown from 26 mats to 44 slots (18 heated) for golfers to deal with their new high-tech clubs. That's a new revenue stream. That's collateral for a loan.

And the loan officers at Wachovia Bank agreed there was significant merit to the plan. And eventually, a loan guarantee of roughly $3 million dollars became reality.

So the present driving range -- along with a new course irrigation system -- were the first part of the new Sterling Farms golf course in 2000. Those improvements were complete in 2001.

Time proved Grillo and company correct. Revenues soared. The loan was paid back.

So in 2005, it was time for phase two of the plan.

Look at the golf course. Look at the frankly old and cracked tennis courts. Look at developing a new chipping area to help golfers with their short games.

Look to fill in the all too familiar potholes and widen the entrance to the facility.

This time, the logistical problems are different.

You can't fix all the holes all at once on a golf course where 60,000 rounds are being played yearly. You can't get the money to renovate if less than 60,000 rounds are being played.

"This wasn't going to be a typical loan," First County Bank chairman and CEO Richard E. Taber said. "If someone builds an office building, the loan window is usually no longer than 18 months. Sterling Farms was looking at a four-to-five year construction window.

"The people at our bank are from Stamford. We are the local bank. We knew firsthand how well-managed and how successful financially Sterling Farms was. We knew what the golf course meant to the community," Taber continued. "We knew the people we were dealing with. We understood the risks involved but our close relationship gave us confidence. A megabank probably would have their golf course expert in Florida make a decision in his office."

First County Bank's understanding of how the business of golf works and differs from a typical model was key to Sterling Farms makeover.

"Give First County Bank credit for stepping up to the plate," Grillo said. "They understood how and why we wanted to do this. And tailored the loan and repayment to the unique budget cycles of a public golf course."

First County Bank was very hands-on in its approach. Vice president Jim Darling was the point man on the loan and was resolute in his commitment to play golf at Sterling Farms once a week throughout the golf season.

In fact, Darling's extended research earned him the first hole-in-one of his golf career. He aced Sterling's par-3, 154-yard 15th hole two Fridays ago.

"It is a great golf course," Darling said. "And the course superintendent (Tracey Holliday), the assistant (Keith Carper) and their staff keep the conditions of the holes immaculate considering the traffic. With the improvements, it's even harder to get a tee time on the weekends."

The condition of the Sterling Farms course is amazing for a public course.

"Private courses have the luxury of closing for a day. Or limiting play in bad weather as needed," Grillo said. "And most private courses may only see 15,000 rounds per year."

As was the case with the driving range, the improvements to the tennis court complex has increased revenues from lessons and the number of people using the facility.

The Turco Golf Course Construction company has worked on the holes, four or five at a time since 2005.

"The work is done from October to the point where too much snow is on the ground," Grillo said. "The front nine is complete. The final four holes on the back nine will be finished in the fall of 2010."

The work has centered on the expansion of tee boxes, making holes longer. Bunkers have been redone around refurbished greens.

With the improvements, there are few points in a round where the golfer can relax. As those competing in the 2009 Stamford Amateur Golf Championship will find out during this Saturday's opening round and in final round action on Sunday, August 2.

"The par 3's add to a very challenging course," Grillo said. "Three of our four par-3s are 200 yards or more from the blue (championship) tees."

The final pieces in the giant puzzle will see the always-bustling parking lot redone as well as the building which currently houses the restaurant and administrative offices.

Then, and only then, will this grand plan be complete.

"It's an exciting time. To first see on paper and now see in reality everything the plan could potentially be. It's been a great team effort," Grillo said. "The best part is none of the funding comes from City of Stamford taxpayers. It's all from revenue generated by the golf course complex. It is self-supporting. And we pay $325,000 per year to the city as rent."